Low power detection apparatus and method for displaying information

ABSTRACT

A low power detection apparatus and a method for displaying information are provided. When a low power manager drives a proximity detection sensor to generate a proximity interrupt in a state within which the portable terminal is in an idle state, the low power manager drives a motion detection sensor and determines a motion of the portable terminal for a preset time. When there is no motion of the portable terminal for the preset time, the low power manager generates proximity data for displaying screen information and then transmits the generated proximity data to an application processor so as to display screen information which the user desires with low power.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 14/012,288, filed on Aug. 28, 2013, and claimed the benefit under 35U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patemt application filed on Aug. 28, 2012, inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.10-2012-0094066, and a Korean patent application filed on Aug. 7, 2013,in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.10-2013-0093602, the entire disclosure of each of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a low power detection apparatus andmethod. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a low powerdetection apparatus and method which detect an approach of a body partor an object and display preset screen information with low power when aportable terminal is in an idle state.

BACKGROUND

In general, when a user desires to identify simple information of aportable terminal, the user presses a power on button of the portableterminal to switch a state of the portable terminal from an idle stateto an active state. Thereafter, the portable terminal of which the stateis switched to the active state displays, for example, a battery state,a charging state, a current time, an unchecked message, an uncheckedcall, currently played music information, content download information,or the like. Accordingly, the user can identify (e.g., determine) thesimple information displayed on the screen of the portable terminal inthe active state.

Further, the portable terminal includes a proximity detection sensor fordetecting an approach of a user's body or an object. When detecting theapproach of the user's body or the object, the portable terminaldisplays simple information on a screen thereof. Through the display,the user can conveniently identify simple information of the portableterminal without pressing the power on button of the portable terminal.

As described above, when the user desires to identify simple informationof the portable terminal, the user switches an operation state of theportable terminal from the idle state to the active state by using thepower on button or the proximity sensor and displays the simpleinformation on the screen of the portable terminal of which the state isswitched to the active state.

However, in the related art, the requirement that the user has to pressthe power on button of the portable terminal whenever the user desiresto identify simple information of the portable terminal adds an elementof inconvenience to the user and makes the identification of simpleinformation of the portable terminal inconvenient.

Further, in the related art, there is a problem in which the portableterminal continuously consumes power to maintain the active statebecause the proximity detection sensor of the portable terminal detectsthe approach of the user's body or the object while continuouslyoperating.

In addition, in the related art, there is a disadvantage associated withreducing an entire idle time of the portable terminal as a result offrequent state switching because the user switches the state of theportable terminal from the idle state to the active state even when theproximity detection sensor of the portable terminal detects the approachwhich the user does not want to detect. For example, the user mayinadvertently switch the state of the portable terminal from the idlestate to the active state based on a detection by the proximitydetection sensor.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a low power detection apparatus and methodwhich detect an approach which the user desires and display presetscreen information with lower power.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a low powerdetection apparatus for displaying information is provided. The lowpower detection apparatus includes a detection sensor that detects atleast one of an approach to a portable terminal and a motion of theportable terminal, and a low power manager that determines a motion ofthe portable terminal for a preset time when the approach to theportable terminal is detected by the detection sensor, and outputs dataon the detected approach when there is no motion of the portableterminal for the preset time.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a detectionmethod of displaying information in a low power detection apparatus isprovided. The detection method includes determining whether an approachto a portable terminal is detected by a detection sensor configured todetect at least one of the approach to the portable terminal and amotion of the portable terminal, determining the motion of the portableterminal for a preset time when the approach to the portable terminal isdetected, and outputting data on the detected approach when there is nomotion of the portable terminal for the preset time.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a portableterminal configured to display information is provided. The portableterminal includes a detection sensor which includes a proximitydetection sensor configured to detect an approach of an object to theportable terminal, and a motion detection sensor configured to detect amotion of the portable terminal, and a low power manager configured tocontrol operation of the detection sensor bsaed on whether the proximitydetection sensor detects an approach, and whether the motion detectionsensor detects that the portable terminal is moved for time relative toa preset time threshold.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a low power detection apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a motion detection signal which a lowpower manager of a low power detection apparatus receives from a motiondetection sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating a process in which a low powerdetection apparatus displays preset screen information through aproximity detection and a motion detection according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a process of displayingscreen information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functionsand constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

As a non-exhaustive illustration only, a portable terminal describedherein may refer to mobile devices such as a cellular phone, a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA), a digital camera, a portable game console, anMP3 player, a Portable/Personal Multimedia Player (PMP), a handhelde-book, a tablet PC, a portable lap-top PC, a Global Positioning System(GPS) navigation, and the like capable of wireless communication ornetwork communication consistent with that disclosed herein.

According to various embodiment of the present disclosure, when a lowpower manager drives a proximity detection sensor to generate aproximity interrupt in a state in which the portable terminal is in anidle state, the low power manager drives a motion detection sensor anddetermines a motion of the portable terminal for a preset time. When thelow power manager determines that the portable terminal has no motionfor the preset time (e.g., when the portable terminal is not moved forthe preset time), the low power manager generates proximity data fordisplaying screen information and then transmits the generated proximitydata to an application processor so as to display screen informationwhich the user desires with lower power.

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a low power detection apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Referring to FIG. 1, the portable terminal includes a lower powerdetection apparatus 100, an application processor 200, a display unit210, an input unit 220, a proximity detection sensor 230, and a motiondetection sensor 240.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the lowpower detection apparatus 100 includes a low power manager 110, aninterrupt unit 120, a timer 130, a memory unit 140, a first bus 150, asecond bus 160, and a third bus 170.

The low power manager 110 controls a general operation of the lowerpower detection apparatus 100. For example, the low power manager 110drives the proximity detection sensor 230 in a state in which theapplication processor 200 is in a sleep mode, and drives the motiondetection sensor 240 when detecting generation of a proximity interruptfrom the interrupt unit 120.

The low power manager 110 determines whether a posture (e.g.,positioning) of the portable terminal satisfies a preset determinationcondition through the motion detection sensor 240. The presetdetermination condition refers to a condition that determines angles ofx, y, and z axes of the portable terminal are within a preset thresholdrange. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, themotion detection sensor 240 may be an acceleration sensor and calculatea rotation angle of the portable terminal having rotated in a horizontaldirection. The portable terminal (e.g., the motion detection sensor 240)may determine whether the calculated rotation angle is within a presetthreshold range. When the rotation angle is within the preset thresholdrange, the low power manager 110 determines that the rotation anglesatisfies the preset determination condition. When the rotation angle isnot within the preset threshold range, the low power manager 110determines that the rotation angle does not satisfy the presetdetermination condition. For example, when the rotation angle of theportable terminal having rotated in the horizontal direction is 0degrees, if such a rotation angle is included within the presetthreshold range, the low power manager 110 may determine that therotation angle satisfies the preset determination condition.

When the posture (e.g., positioning) of the portable terminal satisfiesthe preset determination condition, the low power manager 110 determineswhether a detection signal identified as a motion is included in adetection signal input from the motion detection sensor 240 for a presettime.

When the posture (e.g., positioning) of the portable terminal does notsatisfy the preset determination condition, the low power manager 110stops the driving of the motion detection sensor and waits for thegeneration of a next proximity interrupt. Accordingly, variousembodiments of the present disclosure can prevent the state of theportable terminal from being switched from the idle state to the activestate in situations other than the proximity situation.

In other words, when the portable terminal (e.g., the low power manager110) determines that that the detection signal identified as the motionis included in the detection signal input from the motion detectionsensor 240 for the preset time, the low power manager 110 stops thedriving of the motion detection sensor 240 and waits for the generationof the next proximity interrupt.

When the detection signal identified as the motion is not included inthe detection signal input from the motion detection sensor 240 for thepreset time, the low power manager 110 determines whether the presettime has passed.

A process in which the low power manager 110 determines a motion fromthe detection signal received from the motion sensor will be describedin detail with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a motion detection signal which the lowpower manager of the low power detection apparatus receives from themotion detection sensor according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the low power manager 110 divides a preset timesection for a motion determination into the preset number of sectionsand determines whether a detection signal input for each of the dividedtime sections has a value larger than or equal to a preset threshold TH.The low power manager 110 determines whether the portable terminal ismoving (e.g., an occurrence of a motion) when the detection signal islarger than or equal to the threshold, and determines whether theportable terminal is not moving (e.g., an absence of portable terminalmotion) when the detection signal is smaller than the threshold.Further, the preset time section refers to a minimum time used fordetermining a motion by the motion detection sensor 240.

When a detection signal is larger than or equal to the threshold in aparticular divided time section, the low power manager 110 divides apreset time section from a next divided time section into the presetnumber of sections and determines again whether a detection signal inputfor each of the divided time sections is larger than or equal to thethreshold. The low power manager 110 may determine a divided timesection in which a motion is detected by comparing a previous dividedtime section and a current divided time section.

For example, the low power manager 110 divides a preset time section T10into ten time sections and determines whether a detection signal inputinto each of the ten divided time sections 0˜T1, T1˜T2, T2˜T3, T3˜T4,T4˜T5, T5˜T6, T6˜T7, T7˜T8, T8˜T9, and T9˜T10 is larger than or equal tothe threshold TH. When the divided time section T5˜T6 has a value largerthan or equal to the threshold, the low power manager 110 determinesthat the motion has been detected. Thereafter, the low power manager 110divides again a preset time section T after the divided time section inwhich the motion has been detected into ten time sections and determineswhether a detection signal input into each of the ten divided timesections is larger than or equal to the threshold TH.

When the motion is continuously detected within a preset time section,the low power manager 110 stops the driving of the motion detectionsensor and waits for the generation of a next proximity interrupt.

When the motion is not detected within a preset time section, the lowpower manager 110 transmits proximity data for displaying screeninformation stored in the memory unit 140 to the application processor200 and stops the driving of the motion detection sensor 240 and theproximity detection sensor 230.

The application processor 200 having received the proximity datadisplays screen information preset by the user on the display unit 210.Specifically, the application processor 200 may display, on the displayunit 210, screen information including terminal information, such as acurrent time of the portable terminal, an unanswered call, an unansweredmessage, a battery remainder, music which is being played, and/or thelike. The terminal information may further include information relatedto an alarm time, which corresponds to an alarm time and the remainingtime from the current time to the alarm time. The application processor200 may provide the alarm when the remaining time is shorter than apreset time.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the portableterminal may display the screen information and the state thereof may beswitched to the idle state when a preset time passes.

Further, although the portable terminal provides the terminalinformation through a text or an image screen according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal information may beprovided using a voice. For example, according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure, the application processor 200 may configure theterminal information by a text or image screen, and display theconfigured text or image screen, and configure the terminal informationby voice data and output the configured voice data. According to otherembodiments of the present disclosure, the application processor 200 mayconfigure the terminal information by only the voice data, and outputthe configured voice data without a separate screen display. Forexample, when information related to the alarm is output by the voicedata, the application processor 200 may control a volume of the outputvoice data in consideration of conditions such as a current time, theremaining time from the current time to the alarm time, and ambientbrightness.

The interrupt unit 120 detects an interrupt generated from the proximitydetection sensor 230 or the motion detection sensor 240 and transmitsthe detected interrupt to the low power manager 110.

The timer 130 counts a number at particular time intervals.

The memory 140 pre-stores proximity data used for displaying screeninformation. The proximity data is stored such that the proximity datacorresponds to the preset screen information.

The first bus 150 is an interface that connects the low power manager110, the timer 130, and the memory unit 140.

The second bus 160 is an interface that connects the low power manager110 and the application processor 200.

The third bus 170 is an interface that connects the low power manager110, the proximity detection sensor 230, and the motion detection sensor240.

The application processor 200 controls a generation operation of theportable terminal, and particularly, displays preset screen informationon the display unit 210 when receiving proximity data from the low powermanager 200.

The display unit 210 may be implemented by a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD) or the like and visually provides a menu of the portable terminal,input data, function setting information and other various pieces ofinformation to the user. According to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the display unit 210 may include various devices in additionto the LCD. The display unit 210 performs a function of outputting abooting screen, an idle screen, a display screen, a call screen, andother application execution screens.

The input unit 220 may include a key input means including a pluralityof keys for a key input, a pointing input means for a pointing inputsuch as a mouse, and a touch input means for a touch input, and/or thelike. The input unit 220 transmits an input signal received through themeans to the application processor 200.

The proximity detection sensor 230 outputs a detection signal when auser's body or an object approaches before the contact. For example, theproximity sensor 230 may use an infrared, laser, ultrasonic, orillumination sensor, a capacitive type touch screen, and/or the like.

The motion detection sensor 240 may detect a motion of a person or anobject to output a detection signal. For example, the motion detectionsensor 240 may use an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, an earthmagnetic sensor, a gravity sensor, and/or the like.

Further, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, thelow power detection apparatus 100 further includes a sensor configuredto detect an ambient environment. The sensor may detect only aneffective operation for switching a state of the application processorfrom the idle state to the active state.

As described above, although an example described according to which thelow power detection apparatus 100 is implemented separately from theapplication processor 200, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the low power detection apparatus 100 may beincluded in a sub core within the application processor 200. In otherwords, the sub core for the low power detection application 100 may beadded to the application processor 200, and the application processor200 may communicate between the low power detection apparatuses 100through a bus, a register, or the like.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure as describedabove, when an event for activating the portable terminal in the idlestate is detected, a posture (e.g., positioning) of the portableterminal is determined. When the determined posture (e.g., positioning)of the portable terminal satisfies a condition of activating theportable terminal, the portable terminal is activated.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the portableterminal may determine whether the portable terminal is connected to aholder or whether the portable terminal in the idle state executes aparticular application through a background to display screeninformation associated with the determination.

First, a process of displaying screen information according to whetherthe portable terminal is connected to the holder will be described. Thelow power manager 110 determines whether the portable terminal isconnected to the holder in a sleep mode. When the portable terminal isconnected to the holder, the low power manager 110 switches a state ofthe portable terminal from the sleep mode to the active mode.Thereafter, the low power manager 110 drives the proximity detectionsensor 240 to determine whether a proximity interrupt is generated. Whenthe proximity interrupt is generated, the low power manager 110transmits proximity data to the application processor 200. Theapplication processor 200 configures a screen for voice recognition anddisplays the configured screen on the display unit 210 in a voicerecognition mode for controlling a function of the portable terminalthrough the voice recognition. For example, when a connection with aholder within a vehicle is recognized, the low power manager 110 mayswitch a state of the portable terminal to a driving mode for vehicledriving by the user.

Further, when a connection between a dock holder of a music play deviceand the portable terminal in a music play mode in which music is beingplayed is recognized, the low power manager 110 drives the proximitydetection sensor 240 and determines whether a proximity interrupt isgenerated. When the connection with the holder is not recognized, thelow power manager 110 maintains the music play mode.

When the proximity interrupt is generated, the low power manager 110transmits the proximity data to the application processor 200, and theapplication proximity processor 200 may configure a screen related tothe music which is being played and display the configured screen on thedisplay unit 210. The screen related to the music which is being playedmay include music information such as an artist and lyrics of the music,an interface for controlling music play, and/or the like. When theproximity interrupt is not generated, the low power manager 110 maycontinuously determine whether the proximity interrupt is generated.

Subsequently, a process of displaying the screen information accordingto whether the portable terminal in the idle state executes a particularapplication through a background will be described in detail. When apreset time passes while the application processor 200 executes aparticular application, a state of the portable terminal is switched tothe sleep mode. The particular application may be an executableapplication through the background such as an application for a dataupload or download.

The low power manager 110 drives the proximity detection sensor 240 todetermine whether the proximity interrupt is generated. When theproximity interrupt is generated, the low power manager 110 configures ascreen related to an application which is being executed through thebackground and displays the configured screen on the display unit 210.The screen related to the application which is being executed throughthe background may include progress status information such as a timefor the data upload or download and a data capacity when the applicationis an application for data transmission/reception between one smartphone and another smart phone.

Accordingly, the portable terminal may display preset screen informationwith low power by detecting only an effective operation for displayingscreen information which the user desires.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating a process in which the lowpower detection apparatus displays preset screen information through aproximity detection and a motion detection according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, at operation 300, the low power manager 110determines whether the application processor 200 is in a sleep mode.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the application processor200 is in the sleep mode at operation 300, then the low power manager110 proceeds to operation 301.

Otherwise, if the low power manager 110 determines that the applicationprocessor is not in the sleep mode at operation 300, then the low powermanager 110 may continuously determine whether the application processor200 is in the sleep mode at operation 300. For example, the low powermanager 110 may continue to poll for an indication that the application200 is in (or enters) the sleep mode.

At operation 301, the low power manager 110 drives the proximitydetection sensor 230.

At operation 302, the low power manager 110 determines whether aproximity interrupt is generated through the interrupt unit 120.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the proximity interrupt isgenerated at operation 302, then the low power manager 110 proceeds tooperation 303 at which the low power manager 110 drives the motiondetection sensor 240.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the proximityinterrupt is not generated at operation 302, then the low power manager110 may continuously determine whether the proximity interrupt isgenerated 302. For example, the low power manager may continue to pollfor an indication that the proximity interrupt is generated.

At operation 304, the low power manager 110 determines whether a posture(e.g., positioning) of the portable terminal is included in a presetdetermination condition through the motion detection sensor.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the posture (e.g.,positioning) is included in the preset determination condition atoperation 304, then the low power manager 110 proceeds to operation 306.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the posture(e.g., positioning) is not included in the preset determinationcondition at operation 304, then the low power manager 110 proceeds tooperation 305 at which the low power manager 110 stops the driving ofthe motion detection sensor 240. Thereafter, the low power manager 110proceeds to operation 302 at which the low power manager 110 determineswhether a next proximity interrupt is generated. Thereafter, the lowpower manager 110 proceeds to operations 303 and 304 and performs thecorresponding operations.

At operation 306, the low power manager 110 determines whether a motionoccurs (e.g., is detected) for a preset time. For example, the low powermanager 110 determines whether a detection signal identified as a motionis included in a detection signal input from the motion detection sensor240.

If the low power manager 110 determines that a motion occurs for thepreset time at operation 306, then the low power manager 110 proceeds tooperation 305 at which the low power manager 110 stops the driving ofthe motion detection sensor 240, and thereafter, the low power manager110 proceeds to operation 302 at which the low power manager 110determines whether the next proximity interrupt is generated.Thereafter, the low power manager 110 proceeds to operations 303 and 304and performs the corresponding operations.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that a motion doesnot occurs for the preset time at operation 306, then the low powermanager 110 proceeds to operation A and performs succeeding operationsof operation A as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, at operation 400, the low power manager 110, havingproceeded to operation 400 from operation A, determines whether thepreset time has passed.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the preset time has notpassed at operation 400, then the low power manager proceeds tooperation B of FIG. 3 at which the low power manager performs operation306 illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, at operation 306, the low powermanager 110 determines whether a motion occurs for a preset time.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the presettime has passed at operation 400, then the low power manger 110 proceedsto operation 401 at which the low power manager 110 transmits proximitydata for displaying screen data to the application processor 200.

At operation 402, the low power manager 110 stops the driving of themotion detection sensor 230.

At operation 403, the low power manager 110 stops the driving of theproximity detection sensor 240. Thereafter, the low power manager 110ends the proximity data transmitting process by the proximity detection.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a process of displayingscreen information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying ascreen according to whether the portable terminal is connected with aholder of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis provided.

At operation 500, the portable terminal is in a state within which theportable terminal is in a sleep mode.

At operation 501, the low power manager 110 determines whether theportable terminal is connected with a holder of a vehicle.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the portable terminal isconnected with the holder of the vehicle at operation 501, then the lowpower manager 110 proceeds to operation 502.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the portableterminal is not connected with the holder of the vehicle at operation501, then the low power manager 110 may continuously determine whetherthe portable terminal is connected with the holder of the vehicle. Forexample, the low power manager may poll for an indication that theportable terminal is connected with the holder of the vehicle.

At operation 502, the low power manager 110 switches a state of theportable terminal to an active mode.

At operation 503, the low power manager 110 drives the proximitydetection sensor 240.

At operation 504, the low power manager 110 determines whether aproximity interrupt is generated.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the proximity interrupt isgenerated at operation 504, then the low power manager 110 proceeds tooperation 505 at which the application processor 200 executes a voicerecognition mode 505.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the proximityinterrupt is not generated at operation 504, then the low power manager110 may continuously determine whether the proximity interrupt isgenerated at operation 504. More specifically, when the proximityinterrupt is generated, the low power manager 110 transmits proximitydata for executing the voice recognition mode to the applicationprocessor 200. Thereafter, the application processor 200 executes thevoice recognition mode in which the portable terminal is controlledthrough the recognition of a user's voice.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying ascreen according to whether the portable terminal is connected with adock holder of a music play device when music is being played accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

At operation 600, the portable terminal is in a state within which theportable terminal is in a music play mode 600.

At operation 601, the low power manager 110 determines whether theportable terminal is connected with a dock holder of a music playdevice.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the portable terminal isconnected with the dock holder of the music play device at operation601, the low power manager 110 proceeds to operation 602.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the portableterminal is not connected with the dock holder of the music play deviceat operation 601, the low power manager 110 may continuously determinewhether the portable terminal is connected with the dock holder of themusic play device. For example, the low power manager 110 may poll foran indication that the portable terminal is connected with the dockholder of the music play device.

At operation 602, the low power manager 110 drives the proximitydetection sensor 240.

At operation 603, the low power manager 110 determines whether aproximity interrupt is generated.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the proximity interrupt isgenerated at operation 603, then the low power manager proceeds tooperation 604 at which the application processor 200 configures a screenrelated to the music which is being played and displays the configuredscreen on the display unit.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the proximityinterrupt is not generated at operation 603, the low power manager 110may continuously determine whether the proximity interrupt is generatedat operation 603. More specifically, when the proximity interrupt isgenerated, the low power manager 110 transmits proximity data forconfiguring the screen related to the music which is being played to theapplication processor 200. Thereafter, the application processor 200 mayconfigure a screen including music information containing an artist, atitle, lyrics, and a play time related to the music which is beingplayed and an interface controlling a music play and display theconfigured screen on the display unit 210. The low power manager maypoll for an indication that the proximity interrupt is generated.

Referring to FIG. 7, a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying ascreen for an application executed through a background according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

At operation 700, the portable terminal is in a state within which aparticular application is executed.

At operation 701, the low power manager 110 determines whether a presettime has passed.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the preset time has passedat operation 701, then the low power manager 110 proceeds to operation702.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the presettime has not passed at operation 701, then the low power manager 110 maycontinuously determine whether the preset time has passed at operation701. For example, the low power manager 110 may continuously poll for anindication that the preset time has passed.

At operation 702, the low power manager 110 switches a state of theportable terminal to a sleep mode.

At operation 703, the low power manager 110 drives the proximitydetection sensor 240.

At operation 704, the low power manager 110 determines whether aproximity interrupt is generated.

If the low power manager 110 determines that the proximity interrupt isgenerated at operation 704, then the low power manager 110 proceeds tooperation 705.

In contrast, if the low power manager 110 determines that the proximityinterrupt is not generated at operation 704, then the low power manager110 may continuously determine whether the proximity interrupt isgenerated at operation 704. For example, the low power manager 110 maycontinuously poll for an indication that the proximity interrupt isgenerated.

At operation 705, the application processor 200 may configure a screenrelated to the particular application which is being executed throughthe background, and display the configured screen on the display unit210. More specifically, when the proximity interrupt is generated, thelow power manager 110 transmits proximity data for configuring thescreen related to the application which is being executed through thebackground to the application processor 200. Thereafter, the applicationprocessor 200 may configure a screen including a name, a description,detailed information of the application which is being executed throughthe background, and/or the like. Thereafter, the application processor200 may display the configured screen on the display unit 210. Forexample, the screen related to the application which is being executedthrough the background may include progress status information such as atime for the data upload or download and a data capacity when theapplication is an application for data transmission/reception betweenone smart phone and another smart phone.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theapplication which can be executed through the background includes anapplication for data transmission/reception and a pedometer application.Although the present disclosure has described the application for thedata transmission/reception as an example, all applications executedthrough the background may be included.

It may be appreciated that the various embodiments of the presentdisclosure can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combinationthereof Any such software may be stored, for example, in a volatile ornon-volatile storage device such as a ROM, a memory such as a RAM, amemory chip, a memory device, or a memory IC, or a recordable optical ormagnetic medium such as a CD, a DVD, a magnetic disk, or a magnetictape, regardless of its ability to be erased or its ability to bere-recorded.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the lowpower detection method may be implemented by a computer or a portableterminal including a controller and a memory, and it may be known thatthe memory is an example of a non-transitory machine-readable recordingmedia suitable for storing a program or programs including instructionsrealizing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure includes aprogram for a code implementing the apparatus and method described inthe appended claims of the specification and a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, or the like) for storing the program.Moreover, such a program as described above can be electronicallytransferred through an arbitrary medium such as a communication signaltransferred through cable or wireless connection. Accordingly, thepresent disclosure properly includes the equivalents thereto.

Further, the low power detection apparatus may receive a program from aprogram providing apparatus connected with the low power detectionapparatus wirelessly or through a wire and store the received program.The program providing apparatus may include a memory for storing aprogram including instructions for allowing the low power detectionapparatus to perform a preset content protecting method and informationrequired for the content protecting method, a communication unit forperforming wired or wireless communication with the low power detectionapparatus, and a controller for transmitting the corresponding programto the low power detection apparatus according to a request of the lowpower detection apparatus or automatically.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a display; afirst sensor configured to detect an approach of an object to theelectronic device; a second sensor configured to detect motions of theelectronic device; and a first processor configured to: based ondetecting the approach of the object to the electronic device, determinewhether a motion of the electronic device is detected or not for apreset period of time, and based on determining that the motion of theelectronic device is not detected for the preset period of time, providefirst information corresponding to the detected approach to a secondprocessor, wherein the second processor is configured to: based on thefirst information corresponding to the detected approach, control thedisplay to display second information.
 2. The electronic device of claim1, further comprising: an interrupt unit configured to generate aninterrupt for the first sensor, wherein the first processor is furtherconfigured to: drive the first sensor when a state of the electronicdevice is a sleep mode, and drive the second sensor when the interruptfor the first sensor is generated through the interrupt unit.
 3. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the first processor is furtherconfigured to: stop a driving of the second sensor when the motion ofthe electronic device is detected for the preset period of time.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the first processor is furtherconfigured to determine whether values of x, y, and z axes of theelectronic device are larger than or equal to a preset threshold.
 5. Theelectronic device of claim 4, wherein the first processor is furtherconfigured to: determine whether the motion of the electronic device isdetected or not for the preset period of time when the values of the x,y, and z axes of the electronic device are larger than or equal to thepreset threshold, and stop a driving of the second sensor when thevalues of the x, y, and z axes of the electronic device are smaller thanthe preset threshold.
 6. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein thefirst processor is further configured to: determine whether a nextinterrupt is generated after the driving of the second sensor isstopped.
 7. A method of displaying information in an electronic device,the method comprising: detecting an approach of an object to theelectronic device by a first sensor; based on detecting the approach ofthe object to the electronic device, determining whether a motion of theelectronic device is detected or not for a preset period of time by asecond sensor; based on determining that the motion of the electronicdevice is not detected for the preset period of time, providing firstinformation corresponding to the detected approach from a firstprocessor to a second processor; and based on the first informationcorresponding to the detected approach, displaying second information ona display by the second processor.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: driving the first sensor when a state of the electronicdevice is a sleep mode; and driving the second sensor when an interruptfor the first sensor is generated.
 9. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: stopping a driving of the second sensor when the motion ofthe electronic device is detected for the preset period of time.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, further comprises: determining whether values of x,y, and z axes of the electronic device are larger than or equal to apreset threshold.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the determiningwhether the motion of the electronic device is detected or not for thepreset period of time comprises: determining whether the motion of theelectronic device is detected or not for the preset period of time whenthe values of the x, y, and z axes of the electronic device are largerthan or equal to the preset threshold, and stopping a driving of thesecond sensor when the values of the x, y, and z axes of the electronicdevice are smaller than the preset threshold.
 12. The method of claim 9,further comprising: determining whether a next interrupt is generatedafter the driving of the second sensor is stopped.
 13. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted, cause at least one processor to perform the method of claim 7.